The UK’s leading cat welfare charity Cats Protection has launched a ‘12 Strays of Christmas’ winter campaign to highlight the plight of so many felines who have been given up or abandoned this year.
Pens and foster homes across South London and the UK will be overwhelmed with thousands of cats hoping for new homes in 2026.
Cats Protection was founded in 1927 and helps an average of 157,000 cats and kittens a year through its national network of around 185 devoted volunteer teams spanning 32 centres.
Cats Protection Central Behaviour Officer Daniel Warren-Cummings said: “Over 12 months, our teams have taken in more than 26,000 cats who have been left behind by life, including nearly 5,100 strays.
“So we’re asking people to think about what they can do to make life better for cats like these.
“Because life is better with cats.”
One of the many cats that has been helped this year is Stanley who became a stray for almost eight months after his owner passed away.
He found himself at Cats Protection South London Cat Centre where he was taken into care for almost a year and found a temporary home with foster carers whilst his minor medical conditions were stabilised.
With dedication and commitment from the Cats Protection care team, Stanley was adopted by a woman who wanted to give all of her attention to her new cuddly companion.
Dart and Bolt were living in a cardboard box in South London when they were rescued by the Cats Protection Team.
They were nervous of people and were considered ‘inbetweener cats’, a term referring to those who want minimal interaction with people and often live in spacious places such as farms and care homes, where they are able to engage as they wish.
Thanks to Cats Protection Dart and Bolt found refuge at a farm where they have now made friends with several horses, while the team are still searching for homes for their litter mates Skedaddle and Rivet.
Warren-Cummings added: “None of these cats can know why they’ve been discarded, can’t tell us how they feel about being abandoned.
“And they can’t feel hope for a better life to come.
“But we can be there for them.
“We can listen and show we care until the tough times pass, and we can speak up for them.”
Stanley, Dart and Bolt are some of the lucky ones as they have been given a second chance at life but unfortunately for many others, this isn’t the case.
The charity has advised anyone looking to adopt to consider the commitment and costs involved before deciding to home a cat at any time of the year.
To meet more cats looking for homes, please visit facebook.com/CatsProtectionSouthLondon/
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